by Mika Lane
Moving aside the lace, she dipped into her wet sex. Dragging her fingers through it left her shivering and goosebumped. With her free hand, she pulled one of the nipples poking into the silk of her dress and twisted it until she convulsed from the delicious pain.
Shifting again, she squatted, balancing on her high heels with her knees spread wide. With a perfect view of her soaking pussy, she slipped two fingers inside and pumped. A tickling sensation ran up her spine to her neck, and her breath came hard. She fell to her knees again, one hand holding aside the crotch of her panties as she worked her deep g-spot.
Hungry for a taste, she drew her fingers to her mouth. The salty tang was just how she loved it. When she’d had enough, her fingers flew back to her sex and her hard clit. Gasping, she stroked herself down the home stretch to what promised to be a rocking orgasm.
She could no longer hold her head up. She let it drop weakly against her chest as she enjoyed her pleasure, shoulders heaving with the movement of the intense strumming of her clit. Her speed increased, and as her orgasm mounted, she threw her head back and cried out.
“Oh, oh, oh. Holy shit.”
She continued working her nub while waves of pleasure washed over her. For a moment, she pictured her husband between her legs, doing what he always did so well. She fell back on the plushy carpet as she got her breath back, her hands soaked and her panties still wedged aside. A wave of sadness washed over her. It was getting harder to remember Dan’s face.
“Oh, boy,” she murmured as she pushed herself up on wobbly legs. When she could stand without holding the wall, she wandered to the washroom to ensure she was presentable, clinging to Dan’s memory while shooing away the sadness.
Ready to face the world again, Gaia unlocked the shop’s doors and got back to opening Kiki’s latest shipment. Normally she’d never wait this long to dive into an unopened package, but the morning’s distraction, and her side trip down orgasm lane, were an acceptable reason for any delay.
As she greedily dug into the box, layers of tissue paper flew in every direction. She pulled out fistfuls of silk and lace, sheer and opaque undergarments. Everything was from France. Of course.
She’d once modeled things like this for her husband.
They’d come to the store after hours. He’d sit on the dressing room settee. She’d show off outfit after outfit, torturing him until he couldn’t take it anymore. And then he would return the torture with his talented tongue.
But those days were gone. Her husband was gone. A big piece of her heart was gone.
What the fuck? Think about something else, girl…
Shaking away the “sads” for a later time when she could have a good cry, she dug to the bottom of the box. From it she drew out a small package labeled Ouvert. A quick reference to Google Translate revealed ouvert was French for “open.” And it was a perfect name for the new panties she was gently unwrapping. One pair, of forest green lace, was embellished with beads dangling down its center front. Where a crotch would normally have been there was nothing but an opening that would leave the sex exposed. Not only were the panties some of the most titillating lingerie she’d ever seen, the delicate pearl and rhinestone trim hand-stitched to their satin edges made them sensual works of art. Which would she get for herself?
Kiki’s front door flew open. Gaia’s sister Tabitha whooshed inside, long blond hair tumbling from a loose, messy bun. She was laden with garments she’d been tagging at home. She plopped everything on the wrap desk.
“Tab! Would you look at these things? They’re stunning.”
Tabitha, even taller than Gaia, switched from her “commuting flats” to a pair of sky-high stilettos she kept behind the desk. “Don’t get any ideas,” Tabitha said. “These panties cost a pretty penny, and there will be no freebies for you.”
Gaia pouted. “Hey. C’mon. Who helps you out when you need it?”
Tabitha ignored the begging and turned to unpack the merchandise that had filled her arms. “Can you help me put this stuff out before the lunch rush comes?”
Gaia smiled at the way her sister ignored her pleading and got to work hanging panties, bras, nighties, and more, all made from exquisite fabrics from all over the world. Truth was, her sister was more than generous with goodies from Kiki’s, and Gaia was always happy to help in a shop she couldn’t get enough of.
The front door jingled again.
They’re coming in already?
But it wasn’t a customer.
“Mr. Schneider. How are ya?” Tabitha greeted the grizzled, slightly hunched building manager, whose massive ring of keys jingled with his every step. He purposely ignored the pretty underthings brushing against his arms as he entered. He cleared his throat.
“Ladies.” He nodded like the gentleman that he was.
“Good to see you,” Gaia said, stifling a giggle. He looked uncomfortable as hell, surrounded by Kiki’s delicate underthings.
“Can we get you some tea, Mr. Schneider?” Tabitha asked.
He let himself look around the shop for a split second and blushed, moving his gaze to his feet like a naughty little boy, nodding. “I have some news to share, Miss Moon.”
“Gaia, can you get Mr. Schneider some tea?”
“What can I do for you, Mr. Schneider?” Tabitha asked.
Hands on hips, he shifted from foot to foot, as if unsure where to look—at the merchandise, or the store’s pretty tenant. His gaze returned to his feet. “Um. Miss Moon—”
“Tabitha. You can call me Tabitha.”
“Right. Well, do you remember a few months back when I said the owner of the building was looking to sell?”
“I do remember that.” Tabitha frowned. Where was he going with this?
“Well, um, it’s been sold.”
Tabitha’s eyes widened, and Gaia swore she could see a thin film of sweat collecting on her sister’s upper lip.
“Okay,” she said. “But it’s my understanding that would have no impact on our staying.” She studied the man’s awkward posture. Yes, there was definitely something going on.
“Well, Miss Moon—I mean Tabitha.” He finally met her gaze. “I’m here to tell you that you have thirty days to vacate the premises. That’s when your lease is up for renewal. But the new owner is moving his business in instead of letting you renew.”
Her sister swayed slightly as she tightened her grip on the wrap desk, her polite smile wavering for a moment before she forced it back in place.
Gaia was not quite as composed. She clenched her hands until her nails cut her palms. The shop was everything to her sister. Hell, it was everything to her, too. She’d been along for the ride right from its very inception. She’d dreamt that she and her sister would grow old together in this shop as two eccentric timeworn dames, selling beautiful underthings to all of San Francisco. And that when the day came for them to lock the doors forever, it would be their choice, and no one else’s.
Her sister’s expression had transformed from polite, to confused.
“Uh…um…but…” She cleared her throat.“I thought Kiki’s was going to be able to stay.”
Mr. Schneider looked like he could crawl out of his skin. Gaia wasn’t sure who was more miserable—her sister, or the man tasked with delivering the terrible news.
“I thought so, too, Miss Moon.” This time, she didn’t tell him to call her Tabitha. “But it turns out the new owner wants to turn this into office space. I’m really sorry. I feel terrible for you ladies.”
“Yes, Mr. Schneider, we thought it was all set,” Gaia said. “We thought Kiki’s would stay, regardless of who owned the building.” She was about to lose her breakfast.
Her sister was faring even worse.
Mr. Schneider pulled a long envelope out of his pocket and extended it to Tabitha.
She stared at it like it contained anthrax. “But…but…Kiki’s is doing so well,” she wailed. “We’re a great tenant. Is it more rent they want? We can negotiate that. Who can I talk to?
Who’s the new owner? Give me a contact, will you? I’m sure we can work everything out.”
Having delivered the bad news and, most likely, written proof in the as-yet unopened envelope, Mr. Schneider started backing toward the door like a scared, cornered animal. Clearly, he couldn’t wait to escape the merchandise and the woman whose dreams he’d just dashed.
“Everything you need is in there,” he said, gesturing at the envelope in Tabitha’s hand. “Including the lawyer’s business card.”
“I have to deal with a lawyer? Already?” Tabitha said to no one in particular, slamming the enveloped on the counter.
Mr. Schneider’s hand was on the door as Tabitha closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temples. When she turned to continue the conversation, the bell on the door jingled. He was gone.
“What…the fuck was that?” Gaia said, her nausea continuing to build.
The thought of losing Kiki’s terrified Gaia, almost as much as losing her husband had. Her older sister, smart and glamorous, had bounced through a few different careers, none really sticking until Kiki’s. The shop’s runaway success had turned her into a new person—hopeful, positive, and best of all, happy. She’d learned to do the books, manage difficult customers, negotiate with suppliers…and now it looked like she’d be learning about how commercial real estate worked, too.
She leaned on the wrap desk, with one hand on what was probably a breaking heart.
And it probably was.
Gaia’s own heart was breaking too, especially when she saw the distress on her sister’s face. She threw her arms around Tabitha. “Hey. We’ll figure this out, okay? Kiki’s will make it. Screw those jerks.”
A sob escaped her sister’s lips.
“Tab, don’t worry. We’ll talk to a lawyer. There must be something we can—”
But her sister pulled back, just inches from Gaia’s face. “What? There is nothing we can do. I am totally fucked. Those goddamn assholes. If they’d told me months ago, I might have found a new space. But I can’t relocate in thirty days.” Her arm swept across the expanse of the store in illustration. And her chin began to crumble.
Her voice broke. “Those fuckers. I’ll show them, Gaia. They’ll have to drag me from here by my hair.” She looked to her sister, her hands on her hips, head held defiantly.
“I simply won’t go.”
Chapter 2
Gaia braved the noon rush hour to get across the city. Time for work at her real job. Well, the one that paid, anyway. Inching along the waterfront Marina in horrendous traffic, she popped open her car’s sunroof. Deeply breathing the sea air, she reveled in the familiar, sulphurous scent of low tide. But, as soon as she realized what was comforting about it, she closed the roof.
She and Dan had loved to walk along the waterfront…
Dammit. Don’t need that right now.
She was furious about the store on behalf of her sister. This was not the time to amplify any gloom with thoughts of her husband. Her beloved, deceased husband.
Let’s limit the problems to one at a time.
Released from the traffic, she finally accelerated to the speed limit and cruised over the fog-shrouded Golden Gate Bridge. As she emerged on the other side, in redwood-studded Marin County, the fog dissipated. The sun came screaming out so fast, she was nearly blinded while fishing for some sunglasses.
Minutes later, she pulled into the parking lot at the world-renowned Devi’s Bliss. The spa was famous for having the most skilled masseuses in the country, who were also permitted, thanks to the open-minded local jurisdiction, to take the massage to any level of intimacy they desired.
“Hiya,” Gaia called out to anyone who happened to be within earshot. Her boss Devi, also the spa’s namesake, looked up from the reception desk. Her co-worker, Aurora, rounded the corner just in time for a collision.
“Whoa. Slow down, cowgirl,” Aurora said, her wild curls shaking from the impact.
Gaia jumped back from their close encounter, holding Aurora’s arms so she remained upright. “Oh, yikes. Sorry, sweetie. Whew.”
“Ladies,” Devi said in a stage whisper. Ever the teddy bear of a taskmaster, she added, “There are clients in our treatment rooms.”
“Sorry, Dev. You’re right.” And just as Gaia apologized, a commotion exploded at the door she’d just passed through.
Noelle, Dakini, and Isabella, fellow masseuses, filed in for their evening shifts. Clearly, whatever they were discussing was hilarious. Raucous laughter split open the calm of the normally tranquil reception area. But as soon as they saw Devi’s faux-stern face, their chatter screeched to an abrupt stop.
“Thank you, ladies, for keeping it down. Something your coworkers Gaia and Aurora might try.” She threw them the stink eye while they stifled their giggles.
“I’m glad you think I’m so funny.” Devi turned toward the three who’d just entered. “Perhaps you can teach your coworkers here how to keep it down.”
“Oh, Dev. We’re slow learners,” Gaia teased. “Don’t hold it against us.” She looked at the rest of the crew, who smiled innocently.
“Such comedians. Now get to work.” Devi waved her hand as if shooing a fly. “Go on now. Your clients will be arriving any minute.”
The massage therapists hustled down the hall to the staff space. No one had ever seen Devi blow a gasket. And no one ever wanted to.
Once in their own hangout, Gaia jostled with the other girls as each scurried to don the white cotton kimono robes all Devi’s girls wore. She then moved to the vanity mirror to brush her hair, and apply a bit of last minute lipstick. The sixth therapist on the staff, Jewel, joined the group and their chatter increased a notch. It felt good, especially in light of the day’s events, for Gaia to be with her favorite people.
“Well, looky here!” Jewel exclaimed. “We ought to have a meeting. The gang’s all here.”
Gaia gave her fellow therapist and best friend a peck on the cheek. “Haven’t seen you in ages!”
“Yeah, Jewel,” Noelle chimed in. “Where’ve ya been?”
“I’ve been nose-down working like a dog on my writing workshop. We critique each other’s work every week. Gaia, what was the urgent message you left me?”
The attention of each person in the room turned toward her.
“You guys won’t believe this,” Gaia said. “My sister just got notice the building Kiki’s is in has been sold.”
“Oh my god.”
“Holy shit.”
“Wait—she gets to stay, right? Just because it’s sold doesn’t mean she loses her lease, does it?” Jewel asked.
Gaia shook her head. “She knew it had been for sale, but always thought she’d be able to stay, no problem. But it turns out this new owner wants to use the space for his own business. Offices of some sort. Her lease would have been up for renewal in another month, but they’re not renewing it.”
“There must be something that can be done. Can we help?” Aurora asked.
A lump rose in Gaia’s throat. These girls weren’t just coworkers. They were more like family.
“You guys. You’re just awesome.”
With a couple minutes to kill, she dropped into a comfy chair to braid her long, red hair.
“Tabitha’s first reaction was to say she just wouldn’t leave,” she continued. “But we all know you can’t just not leave. It doesn’t work that way.”
The girls murmured in agreement.
Her voice cracked. “It’s just crazy. The shop has been doing so well, and all the new merchandise for the upcoming season has started to arrive. She was so upset. I hated to leave her earlier. I hope she hasn’t worked herself into such a frenzy that she can’t even wait on customers.”
“I’m so sorry,” Jewel said, shaking her head.
Gaia nodded and sighed. “Me too. I feel so badly for her. She’s worked so hard.”
“You’ve worked hard, too. Seems like you’re there anytime you’re not here. Especially since Dan—”
&
nbsp; Since Dan died?
Jewel stammered. “Anyway, what about getting another space somewhere?”
“That’s an option, sure. But in retail it’s kind of like starting over. And it’s a big expense to build out a new space. Poor Tabitha.” Gaia looked down at her hands, shaking her head.
“And what about you? What have you been up to, aside from helping your sis?” Jewel’s head tilted.“Have you tried that dating site I told you about?” She raised an eyebrow.
A warm flush blasted across Gaia’s face. “Um. Kind of.”
“And…?”
“I don’t know if I’m ready.”
“You didn’t look at it, did you?”
Gaia shrugged. “No. No, I did not.”
The rest of the staff pretended not to listen. Not very convincingly.
Jewel placed her hand on Gaia’s shoulder. “Sweetie. It’s been two years now.”
Looking at her friend, Gaia pursed her lips. The staff room door popped open.
Devi poked her head in. “Gaia, your client has arrived. He’s in the Heart Chakra room.”
Thank goodness for small interruptions. Gaia bounced to her feet and smoothed out her robe. Hustling to the door for her quick escape, she said over her shoulder, “I’ll know when the time is right. Don’t worry. I’ll know.”
Right?
Chapter 3
Gaia closed the door to the treatment room so softly the tiny click of the latch sounded like a detonation.
A gasp from across the dim room caught her attention, and she whirled to see the silhouette of a man sit straight up on the massage table.
“Whoa. That startled me,” a deep, masculine voice said. “I guess I dozed off.”